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Social Influence and Group Processes - Coggle Diagram
Social Influence and Group Processes
Social Influence:
The process by which an individual's attitudes, beliefs, or behavior are modified by the presence or actions of others.
Examples: Peer pressure, following trends, obeying a teacher’s instructions.
Types: Conformity, Compliance, Obedience
Conformity
Definition: A type of social influence involving a change in belief or behavior in order to fit in with a group.
Example: Dressing similarly to peers at school.
Solomon Asch’s Experiment (1951):
Line judgment task with confederates giving wrong answers.
37% participants conformed to incorrect answers.
Factors Affecting Conformity:
Group Size: Max conformity at 3–5 members.
Unanimity: More agreement = more pressure.
Culture: Collectivist cultures show more conformity.
Personality: Low self-esteem → higher conformity.
Public vs. Private Response: More conformity when responses are public.
Compliance
Definition: Agreeing to a request or demand, even if one does not agree internally.
Example: Donating to a cause just because someone asked nicely.
Techniques:
Foot-in-the-door: Start with small request, followed by bigger one.
Door-in-the-face: Start with a large request that is refused, then make a smaller one.
Low-ball Technique: Initially offering a good deal, then revealing hidden costs later.
Obedience
Definition: A form of social influence where an individual acts in response to a direct order from an authority figure.
Example: Following instructions of a teacher or police officer.
Stanley Milgram’s Experiment (1963):
Participants asked to administer electric shocks to a learner.
65% went up to the highest voltage (450V), despite discomfort.
Factors Influencing Obedience:
Legitimacy of authority: Uniform or institution.
Proximity of authority figure: Physically closer = more obedience.
Depersonalization of victim: Less contact = more obedience.
Group pressure: Presence of dissenters reduces obedience.
Pro-social Behavior
Definition: Voluntary behavior intended to benefit others.
Altruism: Selfless concern for the well-being of others.
Examples: Donating blood, helping someone in need.
Factors Influencing Pro-social Behavior:
Empathy: Ability to feel others’ emotions.
Mood: Good mood increases helping behavior.
Cost of helping: Lower cost = more likely to help.
Bystander Effect: Less likely to help when others are present (diffusion of responsibility).
Group and Its Types
Group: Two or more individuals interacting and sharing a common goal.
Types of Groups:
Primary Group: Close, personal relations (e.g., family).
Secondary Group: Formal, task-oriented (e.g., workplace).
In-group: Group to which a person identifies ("us").
Out-group: Group seen as different ("them").
Formal Group: Structured, with specific goals and roles.
Informal Group: No official structure, e.g., friends.
Group Structure
Roles: Behavior expected from a person in a group (e.g., leader, follower).
Norms: Accepted standards or rules of behavior (e.g., punctuality).
Status: Position of an individual within a group (e.g., senior vs. junior).
Cohesiveness: Attraction members feel toward each other and the group.
High cohesiveness = Better performance
But may lead to Groupthink
Groupthink:
Definition: When the desire for harmony in a group results in irrational decision-making.
Features:
Suppression of dissent
Pressure to conform
Illusion of invulnerability
Examples: Disastrous policy decisions due to lack of critical evaluation.
Social Loafing
Definition: Tendency of individuals to put in less effort when working in a group than when working alone.
Causes:
Diffusion of responsibility
Lack of individual accountability
Perception that individual contribution is not important
Reducing Social Loafing:
Assign individual roles
Smaller groups
Emphasize group importance
Increase accountability
Cooperation and Competition
Cooperation: Working together toward a shared goal.
Example: Students preparing a group project.
Competition: Working to outperform others.
Example: Competing for top rank in class.
Conflict: A situation where parties perceive incompatible goals.
Sources:
Limited resources
Miscommunication
Cultural differences
Conflict Resolution:
Superordinate Goals: Common goals requiring cooperation.
Negotiation and Dialogue
Third-party Mediation
Cognitive restructuring: Changing perspective on conflict